Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaks during a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, right, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
(Hussein Malla/Associated Press)BEIRUT — Lebanon said Monday it will not take part in a Middle East conference in Poland this week that is widely seen as an effort to isolate Iran.
Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil made the announcement during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is on a two-day visit to the Mediterranean country.
Iran, which was not invited, has denounced the conference as a U.S.-led anti-Iran “circus.”Lebanon has been following a policy of disassociation from regional conflicts.
Zarif also said Iran would also help Lebanon with its refugee crisis.